Modular expandable carrying system

ABSTRACT

A modular expandable carrying system comprising: a frame having a frame extension removable attached to a vertical segment of the frame; a basket carried by the frame having a top, lateral edges and bottom panel; a drawstring extending through opening along the edge of the basket adapted to allow the carrying capacity for the basket to vary and adapted to allow a volume of article to be carried by the basket that exceed the volume of the basket; a belt attached to the frame or the basket; a back pad attached to the frame; and, a hydration system attached to the basket.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional utility patent application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/196,631 filed Jun. 3, 2021 and titled Modular Expandable Carrying System which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

This modular expandable carrying system is directed to a flexible basket for carrying articles that can be attached to a frame and can include a hydration system.

2) Description of the Related Art

In many applications, from the academic setting to outdoor activities, to travel, to the military, the ability to transport articles on ones back has many advantages. Much research has been directed to the support systems of the frame and the comforter of the wearer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,915 is directed to a body conforming pack frame that also includes a hydration system. Further, the volume of the load that can be placed in the backpack is fairly static as the backpack defines a load bearing area that is enclosed. Further, the storage area of the pack is limited in that the storage area defines the size and quantity of articles that can be carried.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,409 discloses a backpack system with a suspension system allowing the pack to be worn on the front or back. Again, the load that can be carried is defined and static as the backpack load bearing area is enclosed. Further, the ability to have modular bags within the backpack that are easily accessible, removably attached and can be oriented vertically or horizontally is not present in these structures.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,545,144 discloses an adjustable load carrier device that focuses on the distribution of weight on the wearer. This design ns complicated and makes no mention of the variability of the load area or the ability add modular bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,628 discloses a modular backpack which includes a container. While using the term modularly, the load volume of this design is static as the container is of a specific static volume.

While backpacks conceptually have been known, such as U.S. patent Ser. No. 204,066, there is much attention that should be placed on the ability of the pack to carry carriable quantity and sized articles. Further, traditional backpacks place the load generally vertically even raising the center of gravity of the wearer and the load as shown in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/781,028 and patent publications 20210068519.

It would be advantageous to have a carrying system that allowed for the center of gravity of the system and wearer to be lower than traditional load bearing systems. It would also be advantageous for a carrying system have a capacity that can exceed the volume of the container. It would be advantages to have a load bearing system that allowed for multiple containers, compartments or bags to be removable attached in an internal area or external of a load carrying area to improve the functionality of the load carrying system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished by providing a modular expandable carrying system comprising: a frame having a frame extension removable attached to a vertical segment of the frame; a basket carried by the frame having a top, lateral edges and bottom panel; a drawstring extending through opening along the edge of the basket adapted to avow the carrying capacity of the basket to vary and adapted to allow a volume of article to be carried by the basket that exceed the volume of the basket; a belt attached to the frame or the basket; a back pad attached to the frame; and, a hydration system attached to the basket.

The system can include a frame; a basket carried by the frame having opposing edges when attached to the frame; a set of slots defined in the basket; a basket opening defined by the opposing edges; a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges; wherein the basket is configured to have a variable carrying capacity volume; a belt attached to the frame configured to receive a vertical support attached to the frame and secured to the basket; and, a plurality of bags removeable attached to the basket using a bag fastener configured to extend through one of the set of slots. A tongue can be carried by the drawstring and configured to at least partially to cover the basket opening. The tongue is attached to a lower edge of the basket or an upper edge of the basket. The tongue can include a tongue opening for receiving a tongue string wherein the tongue string is carried by the basket.

The system can include a hydration system carried by the frame. The hydration system can include a tube connected to a reservoir for delivering fluid to a wearer. The tube can be is slidable affixed to the drawstring.

The basket can define a variable volume in a range of 1 liter to 40 liters. The system can include a basket having opposing edges defining a load area; a set of slots defined in the basket; a basket top opening defined by the opposing edges above the load area; a basket vertical opening defined by the opposing edges; and a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges having an open position wherein the opposing edges are separated and a closed position where in the opposing edges are overlapping. The bag can be removably attached to the basket using a bag fastener. A second bag can be removably attached to the basket using a bag fastener and the basket is configured to provide access to the second bag disposed lower in the basket than the first bag without removal of the first bag. The bag fastener can be configured to extend through one of the set of slots. The bag can include a resilient member and an oblong member attached to the resilient member.

The basket can include a larger volume in a lower portion respective to an upper portion. The basket can include opposing edges curved to define a U shape and a load area and a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges wherein the basket defines a top basket opening and a vertical opening. The basket can include an open position wherein the opposing edges are separated and a closed position where in the opposing edges are overlapping. A tongue can be carried by the drawstring and configured to at least partially to cover the vertical opening. A set of slots can be defined in the basket and the a bag can include bag fasteners removably connected to the basket wherein the bag fasteners are configured to extend from a first side of the basket to a second side of the basket. A second bag can be removably connected to the basket and the basket is configured to allow access to the first bag and the second bag through the vertical opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is rear view of the system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the system;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of aspects of the system;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of aspects of the system;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the system;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the system;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the system;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the system;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the system;

FIG. 10 is a component of the system; and,

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the carrying system 10 is shown having a basket 12 carried by a frame 14, waist support 16 and frame extensions 18. The basket can have a variable volume that can be adjusted using drawstring 20. The drawstring can extend through openings 22 that can be disposed on opposing edges 24 a and 24 b of the basket. The opposing edges can define a slot 26 that can extend from a top edge 28 to a bottom edge 30 of the basket. A load bearing cavity can be defined by the basket wherein the basket includes a vertical opening from the bottom to the top so that loads of various shapes can be placed in the basket and the basket tightened around the load. The load bearing area can be shaped around the load to improve the ability to prevent the load from moving around during transport. A lower opening 32 can include a loop 34 that where the drawstring can extend through.

The basket can be tightened so that the opposing edges can touch or overlap or can be separated to define a basket vertical opening that can be secured by the drawstring. The basket can include slots 36 along each side of the basket that can, in one embodiment that can be compatible with a modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (“molle”) system. Molle compatible components can be attached any a place on the basket. Any number of accessories can be attached to the interior or the exterior of the basket including bags, holsters, straps, pouches, kits, d-rings, clips, hardware, tools, and many other articles.

In one embodiment, the lower portion of the basket shown generally as 12 a can define a volume that is larger than an upper portion of the basket, Therefore, when articles are placed on the basket, the center of gravity can be below the midline of the basket allowing for improve weight distribution as opposed to traditional backpacks. Further, the basket is defined by the basket walls with a basket opening defined between the opposing edges 13 of the basket walls. The basket and the drawstring allows the volume of the basket to be greatly modified in a range from under one liter to greater than 40 liters providing versatility not before seen. The existence of the vertical basket opening 15 contributes to the system flexibility.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the frame 38 can include a vertical section 40 and one or more horizontal sections 42. There can be one or more vertical sections connected with one or more horizontal sections. The vertical sections can extend below the basket to a waist pad 44 that can be included in a belt 46. The vertical section can be adjusted in length for according to the needs of the wearer. For example, a wearer with a longer torso may wish for the vertical sections to be longer or may just want the belt to rest lower on the hips. Utility pockets 48 or other accessories can be included on the belt having a buckle for carrying articles. A back pad 50 can be carried by the frame. The back pad can include one or more padded areas and one or more friction areas to facilitate the carrying of the system. Shoulder straps 52 can be attached to the frame and can include a sternum strap 54. Strap can be attached to a frame, the basket and combination. The belt can include mole straps.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a fluid source 56 can be carried by one or more straps, the frame, the basket of any combination. The wearer can access the fluid source through a tube or straw which can be connected to a fluid source such as a hydration pack, water bottle, reservoir, or another container, collectively shown as 58. The opposite edge 60 of the basket can form a “U” shape with the loop able to assist in the support of articles at the bottom of the basket. The “U” shape allows for the load bearing areas of the basket to chance in volume according to the loosening or tightening of the drawstrings.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the vertical section 40 can attach to a frame extension 18. The vertical section or the frame extension can attach to the belt so that the weight of the system can be partially carried on the hips or waist of the wearer. One or more frame extensions can be used to very the overall length of the vertical section and the one or more frame extensions. A cavity 62 can be defined between the basket and the belt and can carry articles such as rolls, bedding, and other articles, including those that need not be placed in the basket. The frame can include a belt support 64 that can support the belt through belt attachment 66. The belt support can also be attached to the basket and can be variable in length to support the belt at a predetermined distance. Article can be secured to the frame using a loop that can extend into the cavity.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the basket can include basket straps 68 that can secure the basket to the frame. In one embodiment, the basket can include straps that a wearer can use to wear the basket on the wearer's back without the frame. The drawstring can include a cinch 70 allowing the drawstring to be pulled and secured in a location. The basket can include a fluid source support 72 so that a tube could be supported and held in a desirable position such as the top of the basket. The bottom of the basket can be disposed below the top opening of the basket and adapted to provide a bottom support for articles place in the basket. In one embodiment, the bottom of the basket can extend away from the frame to provide for a support surface for items in the basket.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the basket can have side panels 74 a and 74 b and a bottom panel 76. The slots can be along a first orientation in the side panel and a second orientation on the bottom panel. In one embodiment, the slots can be horizontal on the side panels and vertical on the bottom panel. A rear panel 76 can be included and attached to the side panels and bottom panel. The rear panel can carry the hydration system in one embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a removable tongue 78 that can be disposed in the basket. The tongue can include opening for receiving the drawstring that can position the tongue in the opening 80 defined by the basket when the basket is not drawn completely together. The tongue can include openings 82 and slots 84. The slots on the tongue can be molle slots. The drawstring an include a drawstring closure 86 that can be used to keep the drawstring at a certain length when pulled to tighten the basket. The tongue can be attached to a distal end 88 of the basket or can be detected from the basket. The tongue can be attached to the top of the basket and be positioned over the top opening of the basket.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the drawstring can include a loop 90 at the distal end that can be used to secure additional items or storage bags or pouches to the basket or frame. The loop can be free of the frame or can be attached to the frame.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the backpack straps 92 can be adjusted laterally along a horizontal member 94 of the frame. Basket supports 96 can be disposed on either side of the backpack straps so that the top of the backpack straps can be closer together or wider apart as desired by the user.

Referring to FIG. 10 , a bag can be disposed on the basket. The bag 98 that can include an open end 100 and a closed end 102. The bag can include one or more fasteners 104 adapted to be received in a slot of the basket of tongue to secure the bag to the basket or tongue. The bag fasteners can include a flexible member 106 a and oblong member 106 b. The flexible member can be a resilient member so that the bag is further secured to the basket of tongue. The bag can include a bag closure member 107 allowing the opening of the bag to be closed. The bag can be rolled from the top end and the bag closure secured. The fasteners can be received into the slots of the basket of other slots of the system.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the basket 12 is shown with several bags, such as 108 a and 108 b, attached to the basket. The bag fasteners 104 are connected to the bag internal to the basket with the bag fastener extending through a slot and disposed external to the basket. The bags can be accessed from the opening defined by the opposing edges of the basket so that the “lower most” bag can be accessed without having to remove each bag from the basket, contrary to traditional backpacks. The bags can be arranged so that the opening of the bags is upward or horizontal allowing items in the bags to be accessed from either position. The bags can vary in size allowing flexibility as to the items that can be carried. Further, the number and volume of bags that can be disposed in the basket can vary as the volume of the basket can vary. This allowed for both flexibility in the number of items that can be stored as well as the type of items that can be stored. For example, one bag can include first aid, while another bag can include wet clothes and yet another bag can include food.

When the draw strong is pulled, the basket can enclose the bags secure the bags in the basket. In one embodiment, the bags can be attached external to the basket. The bags can be oriented uprights or sideways in the basket.

It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular expandable carrying system comprising: a frame; a basket carried by the frame having opposing edges when attached to the frame; a set of slots defined in the basket; a basket opening defined by the opposing edges; a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges; wherein the basket is configured to have a variable carrying volume; a belt attached to the frame configured to receive a vertical support attached to the frame and secured to the basket; and, a plurality of bags removeable attached to the basket using a bag fastener configured to extend through one of the set of slots.
 2. The system of claim 1 including a tongue carried by the drawstring and configured to at least partially cover the basket opening.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the tongue is attached to a lower edge of the basket.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the tongue is attached to an upper edge of the basket.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein the tongue includes a tongue opening for receiving a tongue string wherein the tongue string is carried by the basket.
 6. The system of claim 1 including a hydration system carried by the frame.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the hydration system includes a tube connected to a reservoir for delivering fluid to a wearer.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the tube is slidable affixed to the drawstring.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the variable carrying volume is in a range of 1 liter to 40 liters.
 10. A modular expandable carrying system comprising: a basket having opposing edges defining a load area; a set of slots defined in the basket; a basket top opening defined by the opposing edges above the load area; a basket vertical opening defined by the opposing edges; and, a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges having an open position wherein the opposing edges are separated and a closed position where in the opposing edges are overlapping.
 11. The system of claim 10 including a bag removably attached to the basket using a bag fastener.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the bag is a first bag, a second bag is removably attached to the basket using a bag fastener and the basket is configured to provide access to the second bag disposed lower in the basket than the first bag without removal of the first bag from the basket.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the bag fastener is configured to extend through one of the set of slots.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the bag includes a resilient member and an oblong member attached to the resilient member.
 15. The system of claim 10 wherein the basket includes a larger volume in a lower portion respective to an upper portion.
 16. A modular expandable carrying system comprising: a basket having opposing edges curved to define a U shape and a load area; and, a drawstring extending through a set of openings along the opposing edges wherein the basket defines a top basket opening and a vertical opening.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the basket includes an open position wherein the opposing edges are separated and a closed position where in the opposing edges are overlapping.
 18. The system of claim 16 including a tongue carried by the drawstring and configured to at least partially to cover the vertical opening.
 19. The system of claim 16 includes: a set of slots defined in the basket; a bag having bag fasteners removably connected to the basket wherein the bag fasteners are configured to extend from a first side of the basket to a second side of the basket.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the bag is a first bag, and a second bag is removably connected to the basket and the basket is configured to allow access to the first bag and the second bag through the vertical opening. 